What is Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine)?
Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine) reduces the amount of certain chemicals in the body that are overly active in people with Huntington's disease.Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine) is used to treat Huntington's chorea (uncontrolled muscle movements).Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine) may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine), or if you have severe or untreated depression, suicidal thoughts, liver disease, or past or present breast cancer. Do not use Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine) if you have taken reserpine within the past 20 days, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Before you take Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine), tell your doctor if you have heart disease, a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome," or a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or actions.Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine) can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. You may feel depressed or have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits during treatment.Stop taking Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine) and call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, confusion, trouble swallowing, uncontrolled muscle movements, extreme drowsiness, or if you feel restless, agitated, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine), or if you have: severe or untreated depression;suicidal thoughts;liver disease; orpast or present breast cancer.Do not use Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine) if you have taken reserpine within the past 20 days, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days. Examples of MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine):heart disease;a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome"; ora history of depression or suicidal thoughts or actions.You may feel depressed or have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have worsening depression or suicidal thoughts while taking Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine).Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits while you are taking Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine).
How should I take Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine)?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.Call your doctor if your chorea symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while taking Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine). You may need frequent eye exams while you are taking Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine). Follow your doctor's instructions.
Store Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine) at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, confusion, hallucinations, tremors, and restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.
What should I avoid while taking Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine)?
Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine) can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine).
Side effects of Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine)
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine) and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: mood or behavior changes;extreme drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out;feeling restless, agitated, or hyperactive (mentally or physically);thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;trouble swallowing;tremor (uncontrolled shaking);dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat; orhigh fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing.
Less serious side effects may include:
sleep problems (insomnia);mild drowsiness, tired feeling;nausea; orbreast swelling or discharge.Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine) Dosing InformationUsual Adult Dose for Huntington Disease:Initial dose: 12.5 mg orally 2 to 3 times daily.Maximum dose: 25 mg orally 3 times daily; maximum recommended dose 200 mg daily.
The dose may be slowly titrated upwards by 12.5 mg a day every 3 to 5 days until the maximal tolerated and effective dose is achieved.
What other drugs will affect Generic Nitoman (Tetrabenazine)?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:arsenic trioxide (Trisenox);droperidol (Inapsine);celecoxib (Celebrex);cimetidine (Tagamet);darifenacin (Enablex);ropinirole (Requip);terbinafine (Lamisil);ADHD medications (Adderall, Ritalin, Strattera);an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), or pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam);an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), imipramine (Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft);anti-malaria medication;cancer medications such as gefitinib (Iressa), imatinib (Gleevec), or nilotinib (Tasigna);a heart rhythm medication;HIV or AIDS medicine such as delavirdine (Rescriptor) or ritonavir (Norvir);medicine to treat or prevent nausea and vomiting, such as dolasetron (Anzemet), metoclopramide (Reglan), ondansetron (Zofran), or promethazine (Phenergan, Promacot);medicine to treat psychiatric disorders, such as aripiprazole (Abilify), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (FazaClo, Clozaril), haloperidol (Haldol), perphenazine (Trilafon), thioridazine (Mellaril), ziprasidone (Geodon), and others;migraine headache medicine such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) or zolmitriptan (Zomig); ora narcotic such as levomethadyl (Orlaam), methadone (Methadose, Diskets, Dolophine) or propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet).
